The Princeling of Nanjing (32 page)

Xu and Ava sat in the wooden chairs by the pond. Auntie Grace had gone inside. Lop was in the house several doors away. There were only three men in the courtyard and they were unarmed.

“What happened?” she finally asked.

He took out a cigarette and lit it. He inhaled deeply, then raised his head and blew a stream of smoke up into the air, where it hung for a second like a thin grey shroud.

“I’m sorry we weren’t here when the military arrived. We had gone into Shanghai to meet with one of the key military commanders of the region. He is one of the men Lop phoned earlier. They were in Special Services together and have a strong bond. We were with him when Wen called Lop and told him about the house search. The commander arranged to have it called off, but it took more time than we’d have liked for them to contact the unit.”

“I was lucky you were there.”

“Maybe we both were.”

“Why were you meeting with him in the first place?”

“We wanted to know what was going to happen to Tsai Lian. This man is our best source.”

“And what did he have to say?”

“I would have phoned you but I thought I should tell you in person.”

“Is it that bad?” Ava said, feeling a flutter in her stomach.

“No,” Xu said with a firm shake of his head. “Tsai Lian and Ying Fa are under house arrest until they will be told to visit the Nanjing office of the security section of the PLA. ‘Visit’ is a code word for surrender. If they don’t go voluntarily, orders have been issued for them to be taken into custody.”

“How does he know that?”

“The man in Beijing who gave the order is a colleague of the man we saw here. He was also part of our phone loop and was waiting to see who was named.”

“Beijing moved so quickly.”

“The general opinion is that the size of the crimes that were committed justified it.”

“You actually believe that’s going to be the final outcome?” she said.

“It isn’t an outcome, it’s the start of a process.”

“And you’re sure they’re going to be taken out of circulation?”

“They took too much. They offended too many. As soon as the numbers became apparent and people spoke to each other, the depth of the reaction was as intense as it was fast.”

“Good god.”

He took a deep drag from his cigarette, and then shrugged. “Ava, do you remember the night when you, May, and I had dinner, and I offered to put money into the Three Sisters?”

“Of course.”

“May commented at the time that there were no longer vendors on the Bund, and I said that one day the government simply decided that it didn’t want them there.”

“I remember that.”

“The next day every vendor was gone and it was as if they’d never been there, as if they’d never existed. The same thing will happen to the Tsais.”

“The decision is already made?”

“The order for them not to leave their homes came from Beijing, so yes, some kind of decision has been made.”

“Charges will be laid?”

“Our man thinks that’s the strongest probability, given the publicity the stories have generated.”

“No trial?”

“We’re told there will likely be a trial. Appearances have to be maintained. But if they agree to plead guilty, the trial can be held in public within a few weeks and they’ll have the chance to look humble and beg for mercy. If they decide to fight, it will be held in secret and be over just as fast. But they, especially Tsai Lian, are too smart to fight.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He knows that if he’s charged, his allies have deserted him. He knows that if he pleads not guilty, it could be seen as being unrepentant and arrogant and dismissive of the government. Those are attitudes that could turn a jail term into an execution and eradication of the entire family’s wealth.”

“A guilty plea will protect the family’s money?”

“Probably not all of it, but if Lian is particularly humble and co-operative I can envision a more modest jail sentence and some preservation of the family’s wealth. They might also let some of them leave the country. Why have them hanging around here as a reminder?”

“What a system.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Why bother with a trial at all?”

“The public needs to see that the government is serious about fighting corruption, and that no man is above the law.”

“It’s still a farce.”

“It works in its own way, and maybe more effectively than the American or French or Italian system.”

“How so?”

“Public opinion has power everywhere, except that here it may be even more potent.”

“That’s only because there’s virtually no law that can’t be bent to suit a particular need or end. In the U.S., Tsai Lian would actually go to court and face a trial that didn’t have a predetermined outcome.”

“I understand that you’re theorizing, so let me do so as well,” Xu said. “In the U.S., a man like Lian would hire an army of lawyers and public relations specialists and would buy himself years of time before anything ever went to trial. It isn’t that laws aren’t bent in the U.S. to suit needs; it’s more that the laws don’t apply to men who have his kind of wealth. Now you tell me, which system is more fair?”

“I don’t know why we’re talking about this — neither of us is a political scientist or a social philosopher. I’m a debt collector and you’re a gangster,” Ava said with a broad smile.

“You were a debt collector, and I am a gangster in transition.”

“Agreed.”

He picked up his lighter and turned it over in his hand.

“Xu, I thought you would be pleased with this news. When you arrived at the house, you looked upset and I actually thought you had heard the opposite.”

“I’m relieved and grateful that we prevailed, but I can’t find any joy in it.”

“It is what you wanted.”

“No, all I wanted was not to be forced back into the drug business, but things have a way of becoming connected, and roads we drive down end up in places we never imagined,” he said. “I called Tsai Men from my car after I spoke to Lop. I wanted to let him know that I’d seen the stories and that I had concern for him and his family.”

“Did he believe that? About your concern, I mean.”

“It was real enough, but I was more concerned about feeling out where his head and emotions were. I didn’t want him going rogue on us and seeking some pointless revenge. Besides, he’s smart and I’m sure he’ll bounce back in some way. We might even be able to do business together again at some point in time.”

“No business I’d get involved in.”

“I understand, but I live here and you don’t. He could become part of my life again.”

“But you believe that things are really settled for now?”

“Yes, and unless I’m misreading the situation entirely, you should be able to leave here whenever you wish,” he said.

“There’s no point in moving to a hotel, so I’ll stay here for another night. That is, if you don’t mind.”

“You know I’m happy to have you. Where will you go from here?”

“May Ling and Suki Chan have a project that I’d like to look at more closely, and there’s still unfinished business in Hong Kong. Then I’ll head back to Toronto. My mother’s had a gambling windfall, and she wants to take me and my girlfriend to Italy. I think I should take her up on it before she loses everything she won.”

“You will stay in touch?”

“Of course.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you were hesitant after all the trouble I’ve been attracting.”

Ava reached for the hand that held the lighter. “You know, this may sound a bit strange, but I don’t mind a little trouble. It gets my blood flowing and puts my mind into overdrive. As much as I like the idea of business and I love the people I’m working with, there isn’t the same kind of buzz.”

“Did this give you a buzz?”

“Maybe that’s the wrong word, but I’m not sure what word to use,” Ava said. “All I know is that when I saw the
Tribune
and
Herald
stories, I thought,
I got them
, and I felt this surge of some weird mixture of relief and exhilaration and satisfaction. It’s exactly the same feeling I had on every successful job I did with Uncle.”

“You did remarkable work with Uncle, and on this.”

“I never found any of it that remarkable. All I’ve ever done is apply the processes and the lessons I learned working with Uncle.”

“Then you’ve had a wonderful education.”

“You know, that’s true, and maybe I’m just beginning to appreciate it,” Ava said. “I’m also starting to believe that instead of trying to escape my past, I should accept it and maybe even embrace it. It made me who I am. And there is a lot I like about who I am.”

The next morning, Ava found Auntie Grace alone in the kitchen. Despite Xu’s assurances that the Tsais no longer posed any threat, she had slept fitfully and woken several times. The first time, she thought she heard voices near the house. The next time she was convinced that trucks were moving down the alley. Even when she realized there was no one around, she had trouble getting back to sleep. There had been too many twists and turns over the past few days, too many unpleasant surprises for her to take anything for granted.

“How did you sleep?” Auntie Grace asked.

“Not well. My imagination wouldn’t leave me in peace.”

“Mine neither. I kept hearing strange noises,” Auntie said. “I kept thinking those soldiers were going to break down our doors.”

“Well, they didn’t,” Ava said.

“I told Xu how I felt and he said the danger had passed,” Auntie Grace said. “Then I asked him why six men were still in the courtyard.”

“How did he reply?”

“He just smiled and said the fact that there was no danger was no reason to be careless.”

“Where is he?” Ava said.

“He went to meet with Lop about an hour ago. He asked that you call him before you leave,” Auntie Grace said. “Assuming you’re still leaving.”

“I have to get on with my other life.”

Auntie Grace started to say something and then stopped. She smiled at Ava. “There’s congee on the stove.”

“I’ll just make myself a coffee.”

“No, let me.”

Before Ava could respond, Auntie Grace was already reaching for the jar of Nescafé.

Ava sat at the kitchen table and checked her voicemail. There were two messages from Michael Dillman, and one each from May Ling and Brenda Burgess. Dillman first reported that Vincent Yin and Suen had landed and were in a secure place. His second message simply said, “Call me.” May Ling and Brenda’s messages were similarly succinct.

As she was calling Dillman, Auntie Grace put a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. It was one o’clock in the morning in London and she half expected to hear his voicemail message.

He answered after one ring. “I’ve been waiting for you to get back to me.”

“Thanks for taking care of Vincent and Suen,” she said. “What else has been going on? You sound rather excited.”

“What hasn’t been going on? None of us at the
Herald
can remember the last time this paper broke the news and became part of the news at the same time, and in such a major way.”

“We saw online that other papers picked up your story.”

“Papers, radio, television, web news organizations — the lot of them. It’s been an absolutely crazy day.”

“You seem to be holding up rather well.”

“Let’s see how I feel this time tomorrow. Vincent and I are scheduled to be on a TV breakfast show in the morning, and then we’re off to the BBC to do both radio and television interviews.”

“You’re doing them together?”

“The PR person thinks it buttresses the credbility of both of us, and it’s a way for me to provide support for Vincent if he needs it.”

“Is the news focus on Calhoun?”

“Of course.”

“How is he responding?”

“He isn’t directly. His lawyer has said the charges are bogus and that Calhoun will answer them specifically when the time is right. No one believes any of it, particularly the Conservative Party. I’m told that Calhoun will be resigning the chairmanship later today, before he’s thrown overboard. And about six hours ago, the Minister of Justice announced that his department would be looking into the accusation that Calhoun violated the U.K. Bribery Act.”

“Congratulations to you and Tamara.”

“Don’t be silly. All we did was fire the gun; you and Vincent loaded it,” he said. “Tamara and I want to thank you, and we hope that things are going as well for you in China.”

“It’s too soon to tell for certain, but all indications are that things are moving in the right direction.”

“Wonderful.”

“Give my best to Vincent and tell Suen we miss him,” Ava said. “Let me know if anything changes on your end. Otherwise, I don’t imagine there will be any reason for us to talk again.”

“Probably not, so cheers again.”

Ava ended the call and sat back in the chair. She had finished her coffee without being aware she was drinking it.

“Everything okay?” Auntie Grace said.

“More than okay, it seems,” Ava said.

“Another coffee?”

“Please,” Ava said, hitting Brenda Burgess’s number.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Burgess is in a meeting and can’t be disturbed,” the receptionist said.

“Can I leave her a voice message?”

“Of course.”

“Brenda, this is Ava Lee and I’m in Shanghai,” she said when she was connected. “I’m calling to thank you, Vanessa, Richard, and the rest of your team for the help you’ve given me over the past week. As I’m sure you know, the stories have made an impact. It looks as though Dennis Calhoun is finished, and Richard deserves a lot of credit for that. We’re still waiting to find out the ultimate decision regarding what will happen to the Tsai family. Whatever it is, it’s safe for all of us to assume they’ve lost most of the power they had and, with that, the ability to strike back. I’m going to be in Hong Kong before heading to Canada. I’m not sure when that will be, but I’ll call when I know and would love to set up dinner with you, Vanessa, Richard — if he’s back — and Amanda.”

Auntie Grace waited for Ava to finish her call before putting the second cup of coffee on the table. “What time do you plan to leave?” she asked. “I should tell Wen so he can organize the car for you.”

“I have one more phone call to make. It shouldn’t take too long, and I’m already packed. So, ten minutes?”

“I’ll let him know,” Auntie Grace said and then left the kitchen.

Ava phoned Wuhan. “Hey you,” she said when May answered.

“Hey you, yourself. How are you feeling?”

“What have you heard?”

“The Tsais are in the kind of trouble you don’t get out of.”

“We’re hearing the same thing,” Ava said. “So, in answer to your question, I’m feeling just fine.”

“Presuming things stay that way, what are your plans?”

“I’ve been thinking about our business.”

“I am so pleased to hear that.”

“I’m sorry for having dumped everything on you over the past few days.”

“You don’t have to apologize for anything. I understood.”

“I know you did, but it didn’t make me feel any less guilty.”

“Feeling guilty was so unnecessary. The only thing that matters is that you’re ready to step back in.”

“Absolutely.”

“So you could stay in Shanghai for another day or two?”

“Sure. I’m still at Xu’s house, but I’m going to move back to the Peninsula this morning. I can stay as long as is necessary.”

“Great. I’ve been thinking about this carbon-fibre container project. Suki has been calling. She’s afraid the opportunity to invest is going to be lost unless we move quickly.”

“What does she want?”

“For you and her to meet again with Mr. Wang.”

“Is she expecting us to make a commitment?”

“Maybe something short-term so we will have the time we need to make a more thorough assessment.”

“I actually reviewed the proposal yesterday. It is really interesting. I wish I hadn’t been so distracted when I met with him the first time.”

“Will you contact her and let her know you’re prepared to meet?”

“Gladly.”

“I also think that while you’re still there, you should sit down with Chi-Tze, Gillian, and Clark to talk about the next six months for PÖ. Getting a foothold in Asia is fantastic, but we need to start thinking about introducing the line in the West. The fashion weeks in February would be an ideal time to launch.”

“All of them?”

“There’s no way that’s possible. They are very difficult to get into, especially for an unknown designer. I’m told that getting into just one would be a big achievement.”

“Clark is a graduate of Central Saint Martins, so he must have some London contacts. I’ll ask him about who he knows and what influence they might have.”

May paused and then said slowly, “Ava, I can’t tell you how nice it is to talk about our business rather than those damn Tsais.”

“My feelings exactly.”

“You’ll call me after you meet with Suki and Mr. Wang?”

“Of course. I’ll stay in touch,” Ava said, ending the conversation. She rose from the chair to leave the kitchen. Auntie Grace stood at the entrance. Ava walked past her on the way to the bedroom to get her bags. When she came back, Auntie Grace had moved to the front door and was talking to Wen. As Ava approached them, Wen nodded and then started to walk towards the car. Auntie Grace held out her arms and the two women hugged.

“Thank you for everything,” Ava said.

Auntie Grace shook her head. “Every time you come here, you make me feel more alive. Make sure you keep coming.”

“
Xiao lao ban
is ready to leave. Start the car,” Ava heard Wen shout.

“What did he say?” Ava asked Auntie Grace.

“He told them to start the car.”

“No, what was that name he used?”

“
Xiao lao ban
 — Little Boss.”

“Who calls me that?”

“I think it was Suen who started it after Hong Kong, but everyone does now.”

“Everyone?”

“Even Xu when you’re not here.”

“That’s silly.”

“I like it, and don’t say anything unpleasant to Wen about it. He means it as a compliment.”

Ava walked to the car. Wen opened the back door and stood to one side as she got in. She started to say something but saw Auntie Grace staring at her from the doorway.

“The Peninsula Hotel,” she said to the driver.

Xiao lao ban
, she thought, and smiled.